The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is partnering with the Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO) to design leadership programs specifically for women to help them become successful entrepreneurs.
TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, said the programs “are designed to build an alliance of diverse founders and CEOs” to nurture “entrepreneurial innovation.” Maryland’s four historically Black institutions will contribute to that expertise by collaborating on strategies to create “a diversified community of women entrepreneurs and help them grow their companies.”
The partnership comes at an opportune time for UMES; the university earlier this year named Dr. Pamela Allison to a new faculty position – the Endowed Chair and Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship and Program Innovation.
“It is such an honor to represent the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on this initiative spearheaded by TEDCO,” Allison said.
“There are many programs for (business) startups,” she said, “but the growth phase is often overlooked by formal programs. Here (at UMES) we offer mentorship and access to capital for women owned businesses already in operation.”
Linda Singh, executive director for TEDCO’s Women Entrepreneur Leadership, said “using the input from TEDCO’s Task Force for Women Entrepreneurs to develop the course foundation, we were able to create a one-of-a-kind program focusing on mitigating challenges Black women entrepreneurs face.”
The leadership program kicks off with a pilot program at the Maryland Innovation Center in Howard County. The Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneur Excellence will bring together 25 women entrepreneurs with the goal of developing a network of peer advisers and creating a collaborative community.
Allison said “the focus of the Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneur Excellence will be on a specific phase of their business – the growth phase.”
UMES, Bowie State, Coppin State and Morgan State universities “will determine the needs of these entrepreneurs at the intersection of research, tech transfer and education,” a TEDCO press release formally announcing the launch of the program.
At UMES, a Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be a hub of resources available to all stages of business.
“We want to help entrepreneurs take their idea and bring it to reality,” Allison said.
UMES “will house maker’s spaces, collaboration zones, shared resources, and be a hub of resources,” she said. “We will host workshops and seminars, offer mentors and coaching, and help entrepreneurs refine their pitch.
The UMES Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is “open access” for students, faculty, alumni, and the community, Allison said.
Learn more about the Women Entrepreneur Leadership Programs and view the request for applications by visiting the website at https://www.tedcomd.com/women-programs.
event where a new TEDCO initiative to help minority businesswomen was announced.
Information for this article was a drawn from a March 23, 2022 Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO) press release.
